Unique

Watermelon

*Sanji*

The ride to the beach was in a . . .fairly comfortable silence. Well. As comfortable as it could be after our, let's say discussion, this morning.

I was so relieved now that the engagement was out in the open. I personally felt like this would help out friendship move forward, but I doubted Rose felt the same.

I had barely laid the foundation for our trust, and I had already cracked it. I knew it was going to take a long time to repair it.

I parked the car in a small, secluded dirt lot. Luckily, it was Sunday and there were only a handful of cars.

"Alright my lady we have arrived." I announce as I unclip my seat belt trying to be my normal gentleman self despite my lack of sleep. Anything to make her feel more comfortable.

She lets out harsh breath as she unclips her own belt, "I really really don't want to do this."

I furrow my brow and rest a hand on her knee remembering the prior conversation we had about her aversion to see Zoro, "You don't have to if you don't want to."

Part of me also wanted her to say no so I wouldn't have to see her around Zoro or should I say her ex-boyfriend.

The white-haired girl throws open the door with so much gusto I was afraid it was going to break off, "What is life without a bit of awkwardness and crippling anxiety? Come on let's roll. I need to face them sooner or later." When she stands, she leans into the car resting her hand on the roof and gestures to me to get out.

I shake my head at her dry humor and pop open the trunk. I knew it was better this way. Rose needed to reconnect with her friends and not be isolated from Whole Cake.

I press the trunk button and stand, "Maybe you should just tell him off." I swing my keys once around my finger before I tuck them in my pocket and offer, "Zoro always been a no-nonsense guy. He might stop if you just yell."

She pauses and frowns like it was crazy to think about being assertive. "Maybe. Need a hand?" she asks, slinging her bag onto her shoulders.

I hated to burden a lady but since she offered, "Sure. If you can grab the smaller red cooler with the food in it and I'll snatch my bag and the blue cooler."

"Okie dokie." She grunts as she hoists out the cooler resting it on her hip to readjust. When she popped out her hip, her pale leg poked out the slit of her wrap. A long, gorgeous leg that had been toned by dedicated hours of fitness.

Man, what I would do to have those legs wrapped around me.

Quickly, I shake my head. I toss my grey tote over my shoulder and lift my cooler forcing my gaze not to linger, "Is it too heavy for you?" I asked with a small grunt, realizing my own cooler was a bit heavier than I though.

"Is it too heavy for you?" She sticks out her tongue playfully and makes her way to the path between a couple bushes that lead down to the beach.

It was a gorgeous day to be at the beach. It was 80 with a slight breeze and a cloudless sky.

I stepped onto the white sand and stared in awe at the crystal blue ocean as the salty breeze tousled my hair and the sound of the waves lulled in my ears.

Feels like home.

I gesture with my head to a spot with a few beach chairs, towels, and a foldable outdoor table, "The orange and white umbrella is Nami's. We can drop off the stuff there."

She ignores whatever I said her eyes glued to the water.

I follow her gaze and see Usopp, Nami, and Luffy already knee deep in the ocean probably cooling off after setting up.